For Vera Poole, it’s all about keeping fit and helping others achieve their own personal fitness goals.

“Nothing feels better than helping someone else,” Poole says.

And this certainly is the case for Poole who continues to help members of the Fort St. James community, young and old.

The high spirited, energetic Poole, began Energy Connection Health & Fitness Ltd. a year and a half ago and since then she couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

“I’m doing what I love,” Poole said. My passion is teaching fitness and taekwondo. What better way to give back to the community. It was challenging to find a space at first that was central, but with the community’s support my dream came to life and it couldn’t be better.”

The space located at 4-470 Stuart St. in Fort St. James is now used for various classes including stretch and tone, morning fitness, boot camp and personal fitness classes.

Poole who is also a nutritional and fitness coach, is also hoping to offer self-defence courses in September.

In her spare time, Poole loves gardening and of course, popping out for a morning jog is a great way to start her busy day.

Fort St. James Family Taekwon-do is also affiliated with Energy Connection Health & Fitness Ltd.

The motto remains connecting mind, body and spirit and for Poole, what better way to achieve this than with taekwon-do.

“It’s all about achieving personal goals, empowerment and discipline. It’s also about belonging to a family no matter who you are. Once you enter the dojang, you are all one,” Poole says.

Poole has been training for 11 years and has been teaching taekwondo for seven. Her official title is assistant instructor and she is a 2nd dan black belt.

Taekwon-do is a martial art with a heavy emphasis on kicks.

“It’s all about using your hands and feet. No weapons are used,” Poole said.

The main international organizational body for taekwon-do is the International Taekwon-do Federation (ITF) founded by General Choi Hong Hi from Korea.

“It’s great for kids. It teaches them so much from life skills, discipline, respect for one another, self-confidence and boundaries and expectations in everyday life,” Poole says.

Poole regularly accompanies her students to various taekwon-do tournaments throughout British Columbia.

Regularly, Poole is all too often proud to bring them home with medals that prove their dedication and determination in learning a sport that Poole herself has grown to love.

“This is my passion. From the start, I thought that this was something I could do together with my family. Now I’m happy to share it with the community. It’s a healthy choice, physically and mentally.”

For Poole, fitness and helping others achieve their fitness goals is what makes it all worth her while.

“It feels so good to give back to my community. I’ve been here a very long time. If I can help empower and bring belief and strength in people, then it just doesn’t get better for me.”